Glen Canyon Damn located just outside of Page is one of the largest and most important dams in the United States. The 710-foot (220 m) high dam was built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) from 1956 to 1966 and forms Lake Powell, one of the largest man-made reservoirs in the U.S. with a capacity of 27 million acre-feet (33 km3). The dam is named for Glen Canyon, a series of deep sandstone gorges now flooded by the reservoir. The dam helps ensure an equitable distribution of water between the states of the Upper Colorado River Basin (Colorado, Wyoming, and most of New Mexico and Utah) and the Lower Basin (California, Nevada, and most of Arizona).
During years of drought, Glen Canyon guarantees water delivery to the Lower Basin states, without the need for rationing in the Upper Basin. Glen Canyon Dam has been a focus of environmental controversy for nearly 100 years. Between the environmental impacts of flooding Glen Canyon (now Lake Powell), the environmental changes to the Grand Canyon, and the increased demand for this water in growing cities and states, Glen Canyon Dam and its overall benefit continues to be under scrutiny. This dam has a long and complicated history with unforeseen effects and demands. Going on a Glen Canyon Dam tour will be an informative and enlightening experience that is sure to resonate with those who care about climate change, growing resource demands, and environmental chains of events.
Custom Options Available | Family-Friendly | Tours from Flagstaff
Great for all ages, enjoy a ride through a 2-mile long tunnel to the base of Glen Canyon Dam where you will walk to your river raft with sandstone walls soaring 700 feet above you. Your friendly guide will help you aboard our roomy 32-foot raft. Then sit back and relax as you take in th … More
Great for all ages, enjoy a ride through a 2-mile long tunnel to the base of Glen Canyon Dam where you will walk to your river raft with sandstone walls soaring 700 feet above you. Your friendly guide will help you aboard our roomy 32-foot raft. Then sit back and relax as you take in the sights and stories of the Colorado River in Glen Canyon including the rich natural and human history of the region. You’ll make a beach stop, where you can take a short hike to see a petroglyph panel and even take a quick dip in the cool river. Back aboard your river raft, you’ll float through iconic Horseshoe Bend. Look for rainbow trout in the crystal-clear water, dozens of birds nesting on the banks of the river and possibly a herd of big horn sheep along the way. Your raft trip ends at historic Lees Ferry, where you’ll board our buses for the ride back to River Headquarters.
Our Horseshoe Bend Rafting Trips are completely family-friendly. We provide chilled water and lemonade. Book your spot now!